Apple Park in Cupertino, California is Apple Inc.’s corporate headquarters. It opened in April 2017, replacing Apple Infinite Loop. The campus spans 175 acres and was created by acquiring nine properties. The main building, designed by Norman Foster, provides 260,000 square meters of space for 12,000 employees. Steve Jobs aimed to create a serene environment resembling a forest reserve, where employees could meditate and enjoy nature. The circular design symbolizes completeness and unity. Apple Park incorporates positive elements from a feng shui perspective to support the company’s future success.
Perfect circle channels heaven’s energy
The shape of Apple’s building at Apple Park resembles a perfect circle, evoking images of a massive spaceship or ring. It’s interesting to speculate whether Steve Jobs drew inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, particularly possessing the “One ring to rule them all,” aligning with Apple’s position as a technology leader. Symbolically and in feng shui, the circle holds great significance, representing the element of Metal, which is associated with wealth and prosperity.
In Chinese culture, coins are often circular as a representation of Metal. Given that Apple operates in communication and technology, belonging to the Metal element, a circular building is considered ideal for activating this element’s energy. Furthermore, the perfect circle is also associated with the concept of Heaven, symbolizing the harmonious union between mankind and the divine.
ALL Eight Sectors Of the Compass are represented
Steve Jobs meticulously designed each building within Apple Park, including the wellness center. The wellness center features a state-of-the-art gymnasium with metal exercise equipment. Its intentional location in the Northwest area represents the element of Metal and embodies dynamic energy. This positioning promotes movement and creates a vibrant atmosphere for sports activities.
The absence of corners in Apple’s building at Apple Park ensures that no auspicious opportunities or possibilities are overlooked. The design captures every facet of luck.
The main building is situated in the South, dedicated to Research and Development and Product design. It offers expansive views of parkland, aligning with the concept of the Palace of Fame and Recognition. This prominent location emphasizes Apple’s focus on innovation, creativity, and the pursuit of excellence.
Everything is curved (No Sharp Corners)
Steve Jobs had a distinct vision for the Apple Park building, particularly regarding the exterior façade. He expressed his desire for the entire building to be enveloped in curved glass panels.
This vision emphasized the circular nature of the structure, with the curvature extending throughout. Jobs emphasized that every single pane of glass in the main building would be curved, highlighting his dedication to creating a seamless and harmonious design that embodied the circular concept. This unique architectural choice contributed to the overall aesthetic and symbolism of the building as a unified and cohesive whole.
Plenty Of Glass (Earth Energy)
Another remarkable feature of the Apple Park building is the extensive use of glass for the walls facing the inner courtyard, exterior, and many interior spaces. This design choice allows an abundance of sunlight and yang chi, representing vibrant and active energy, to permeate the building from all directions seamlessly. Glass, associated with the element of Earth, offers a unique grounding quality.
Apple Park harnesses the grounding energy by incorporating glass panels throughout the building, symbolizing stability and solidarity.
Landscaped trees bring Growth
The inclusion of oak trees in the landscape is noteworthy due to their powerful symbolism. Oak trees are associated with stability, longevity, power, and growth. As they age and mature, their auspicious qualities become even more pronounced. The presence of these trees contributes to the overall sense of strength and endurance within the environment.
Additionally, the planting plan includes apple trees and various fruit trees in the shaded lime-green area of the inner courtyard, which can be considered the heart of the building.
Apples symbolize peace and harmony, and fruit trees, in general, are regarded as auspicious symbols. They represent the realization of efforts and the attainment of wishes. By incorporating these meaningful trees into the landscape design, Apple Park creates a visually appealing environment and infuses the space with positive energy, symbolizing stability, growth, harmony, and fulfilling aspirations.
Water In South East Brings Prosperity
The landscape plan for Apple Park incorporates a water management system that directs rain and stormwater to a catchment area in the Southeast. This area is significant in feng shui, associated with wealth and prosperity. The presence of water in the large collection pond ensures continued financial success for Apple.
From a feng shui perspective, this design feature creates a positive energy flow that supports profitability and abundance. Steve Jobs valued nature and environmental preservation, influencing his vision for Apple Park. He aimed for 80% of the site to be covered with native Cupertino flora and fauna, showcasing his commitment to preserving the environment. The building relies solely on renewable energy sources, with solar panels and Bloom Energy Server fuel cells providing power.
The building’s design promotes natural ventilation, reducing reliance on HVAC systems for three-quarters of the year. This sustainable approach reflects Steve Jobs’ environmental values and Apple’s dedication to clean energy and reducing its environmental impact.
A Landscape in the Landscape
Steve Jobs strongly desired trees to be a prominent feature of the Apple Park site. He recognized the importance of incorporating nature into the corporate campus and prioritized finding an expert in trees to help create a lush environment. Collaborating with landscape architects OLIN, Foster + Partners transformed the previously paved 175-acre site in Silicon Valley, mostly covered in parking lots, into a verdant campus filled with trees. The landscape design includes winding paths and extensive running and walking trails spanning two miles, providing employees with opportunities to connect with nature.
Before his passing, Steve Jobs personally handpicked many of the 9,000 drought-resistant trees that now adorn Apple Park. Some of these trees are fruit orchards, reminiscent of the landscapes from Jobs’ youth in California. This deliberate selection reflects Jobs’ connection to the region and adds a touch of nostalgia to the campus.
The abundance of trees enhances the aesthetic appeal of Apple Park. It contributes to a more natural and sustainable environment, aligning with Jobs’ vision of reintroducing the elements of nature into the heart of Silicon Valley.
This integration of nature and openness contributes to a sense of tranquillity and harmony within the workplace.
The office spaces are designed to foster collaboration and communication among employees. They are organized in clusters based on departments, promoting a democratic and non-hierarchical culture where information can flow easily, and teamwork is encouraged. The building’s circulation is designed along the perimeter, offering continuous and unobstructed views of the surrounding environment, enhancing the sense of a serene and idyllic setting.
COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
Apple Park’s commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency is indeed commendable. The campus has achieved LEED Platinum certification, the highest recognition level for green building design and operation. This certification acknowledges the campus’s exemplary performance in energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable materials, and overall environmental responsibility.
One of the notable features of Apple Park’s energy infrastructure is the extensive use of renewable energy sources. With the installation of solar panels on the roof, the campus can generate an impressive 17 megawatts of power. This capacity meets 75% of the energy needs during peak daytime periods. Apple Park’s solar roof is one of the largest globally, showcasing the company’s commitment to clean energy.
Additionally, the campus utilizes Bloom Energy Server fuel cells, which generate an additional 4 megawatts of power. These fuel cells can be powered by biofuel or natural gas, further diversifying the on-site renewable energy sources.
The design of the buildings also prioritizes natural ventilation, allowing for the free flow of air between the interior and exterior spaces. This design feature helps reduce the reliance on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for nine months of the year. By leveraging natural ventilation, Apple Park minimizes energy consumption and creates a more sustainable and comfortable working environment.
Apple’s complete transition to renewable energy sources, as announced in April 2018, marks a significant milestone for the company and demonstrates its commitment to mitigating environmental impact. By embracing renewable energy and sustainable design principles, Apple Park sets an example for other organizations and contributes to a greener future.
ADDITIONAL SPACES IN THE APPLE PARK
- The Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park is an architecturally distinct feature, with a 20-foot tall glass cylinder and a metallic carbon-fiber roof. It sits on a hill, paying homage to Steve Jobs.
- The parking space at Apple Park was adjusted to reduce costs, flipping the originally planned underground and above-ground parking ratios. The new design efficiently accommodates employee and visitor parking needs.
- The main circular structure, known as the Ring, is mounted on massive steel base isolators to ensure resilience against earthquakes. This engineering feat allows the building to move up to 4.5 feet in any direction without compromising its functionality.
- A tiled tunnel spanning 755 feet connects Wolfe Road to the campus and the underground parking area of the Ring. The tunnel’s design was carefully considered and prototyped to ensure its aesthetic and functionality.
- The Fitness & Wellness Center covers 100,000 square feet, offering various facilities and medical services to employees. Tim Cook emphasizes employee well-being and encourages an active culture.
- The building’s “breathing” concept, inspired by Steve Jobs, is achieved through an airflow system designed with the expertise of Formula One race car airflow optimizers.
- Apple Park relies solely on sustainable energy sources, with 805,000 square feet of solar arrays powering the 2.8-million-square-foot Ring and other buildings on campus.
- The café features impressive sliding glass doors extending four stories, weighing 440,000 pounds each. These doors open and close quietly, adding to the sleek design of the space.
- Nearly 9,000 drought-tolerant trees have been planted throughout the campus, creating an inspiring and creative environment in line with Steve Jobs’ vision of a tree-filled campus.
Indeed, Apple Park represents the fulfillment of Steve Jobs’s vision for an ideal workplace that fosters creativity, innovation, and employee well-being. The architectural masterpiece designed by Foster + Partners not only showcases stunning aesthetics and technological advancements and puts people at the center of its design philosophy.
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Magazine, Architect. “The Untold Story of Apple Park.” Architectmagazine.com, 9 Nov. 2018, www.architectmagazine.com/design/the-untold-story-of-apple-park_o.
